Wedding Wednesdays: Penning the Perfect Thank You Note

You can't put it off any longer. The last slice of cake has been eaten, and you've even unpacked your honeymoon suitcases. It's time to tackle those wedding thank-you notes. We know it's daunting but just know..it's doable! And The Knot is here to help. Here are five fantastic tips to penning the perfect thank you note!

Step 1: Start Early
Wedding thank-you note prep starts months before you unwrap that first gift. Remember that guest list your whole family weighed in on? Do yourself a favor and make a copy of it. Add a column for gifts and wedding thank-you notes. This allows you to keep a record of which registry gifts you've received (and from whom) while logging your note progress as you go. Who doesn't love checking something off a list? It's easy to think you've already sent a thank-you for your wedding gift when you're penning so many notes—trust us. Best of all, you won't have to hunt for your cousin's mailing address.

Step 2: Stock Up
This is the fun part of thank-you note writing! Invest in some stationery that represents you as a couple, or pick up some simple white or ecru note cards. Thank-you notes never go out of style (and there are sure to be many gift-giving occasions thrown in your honor) so stock up shortly after you're engaged. If you decide to personalize the notes, opt for first names only—it's bad form to use your married monogram or shared last initial until your wedding is official. If you've chosen a wedding motif, like a maple leaf or geometric crest, consider using it in your social stationery too. A good roller ball pen will do wonders for penmanship. Stick with blue or black ink and make sure it won't smear or bleed through your note cards. Lastly, buy a roll of Forever stamps, so you're not hunting down postage every time you lick an envelope.

Step 3: Set Up Shop
Designate a "writing station" in your home—you'll be more likely to pen wedding thank-you notes if you have a comfortable place to sit with all your supplies at the ready. If you don't have a desk, keep your note cards near a table or hard surface. A glass of wine and some Spotify can really sweeten the deal.

Step 4: Get Down to Business
The rules dictate that every wedding gift deserves a thank-you note. Between saying "yes" and "I do," you'll be doing a lot of note writing. Wedding planning takes a lot of time—we get it—but we recommend penning notes as soon as wedding gifts start to arrive. This may mean before the wedding. And long after.

Don't attempt to get them all done in one sitting. Instead, set aside 30 minutes every night to tackle your wedding thank-you note list. And remember the wedding gifts you've received were intended for you both. Regardless of who's penning the thank-you notes, sign both of your names—unless, of course, you're thanking your bestie for a lacy number received at your bachelorette party or for the unforgettable bachelor party. To establish equality, divvy up the list and share the responsibility. Some couples divide the list down the middle, while others prefer to write notes to their extended family who may not know their future spouse as well. Do whatever works best for you.

Step 5: Pen the Perfect Note
Personalize your wedding thank-you note to reflect your relationship with the addressee and the gift they gave. Use specifics: "the Gurgling Cod Pitcher." If you've been gifted money for your wedding, explain how you plan to use it, like "we're saving for our first house" or "we can't wait to indulge at the spa on our honeymoon." Their presence was a present too—don't forget to thank your gift giver for attending your wedding and for thinking of you at this special time.

Have fun when writing your thank you notes and you'll be done before you know it! Take these tips from the experts and devour the details of penning with perfection!